If you have broken your ankle in an accident that wasn't your fault, find out how much compensation your claim could be worth.
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How much compensation for a broken ankle?
If you broke your ankle because of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to claim compensation. This guide explains how you can make a claim, who may be liable, how much compensation for a broken ankle you could receive and what affects the payout.
A broken ankle can be extremely painful and may limit your ability to work, drive and carry out normal daily activities. These injuries are commonly caused by slips and trips on unsafe pavements, accidents at work, road traffic collisions and sporting incidents.
If you want to claim compensation for your ankle fracture, do not hesitate to get in touch with a solicitor for a free case assessment. Call us today on 0800 470 0472 or use our online contact form to arrange a call back.
Key points about broken ankle compensation
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you broke your ankle in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
- Accident Types: Common causes include trips on uneven pavements, falls at work, or road traffic accidents.
- Time Limit: You generally have three years from the date of the accident to begin your claim.
- Compensation: Compensation for a broken ankle depends on the type of fracture, recovery time, and any ongoing impact on mobility or work.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will provide a no win no fee service, so you’ll only pay a fee if your case is successful.
Table of Contents
What is a broken ankle compensation claim?
A broken ankle claim is a personal injury claim made when someone suffers an ankle fracture because another party breached a duty of care. Compensation covers:
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
- Financial losses, such as lost earnings, medical costs and travel expenses.
- Long-term effects, such as instability, arthritis or reduced mobility.
- Long-term care needs, such as rehabilitation and medical aids.
Ankle fractures range from minor hairline cracks to severe bone fractures requiring surgery. The severity of the injury and its impact on your daily life will determine how much compensation is awarded for a broken ankle.
Am I eligible to claim broken ankle compensation?
Yes, if you have suffered a broken ankle due to someone else’s fault, you might be able to claim compensation. Your eligibility will depend on your specific circumstances and can be assessed by a personal injury solicitor during a free consultation over the phone.
As a general rule, a broken ankle claim should be possible if:
- The party you are claiming against owed you a duty of care.
- They broke that duty by acting negligently and causing an accident.
- You suffered a broken ankle injury as a result.
Who may be liable for a broken ankle compensation claim?
Liability for a fractured ankle may fall with several parties, depending on the circumstances of your injury and accident. Most commonly, a claim is made against:
- A driver or another road user who breached the Road Traffic Act 1988, if you were injured in a road accident.
- A manufacturer under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, if you suffered a broken ankle due to a faulty product.
- A property owner who breached the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, if you had an accident in a public place, such as a shop or restaurant.
- An employer who failed to uphold their duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Is there a time limit to start a broken ankle claim?
Yes. Most ankle injury claims have a general three-year limitation period, usually starting from the date of the accident. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as:
- For child injury claims, the three-year time limit does not begin until the child’s 18th birthday.
- If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, there is no time limit for a litigation friend to claim on their behalf.
- Criminal injury claims made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) have a two-year time limit from the date of the incident.
How do I make a fractured ankle compensation claim?
The first step of a broken ankle claim is a free case assessment with an experienced solicitor. They will let you know what your chances of success are and how much compensation you could receive for your ankle fracture.
If you can proceed, they will send a letter of claim to the defendant describing the nature of your injuries and the compensation you seek. If they admit liability, you can begin to negotiate a settlement.
If the other party denies liability, your solicitor will issue court proceedings. Even so, most claims (over 97%) still resolve before going to trial before a judge. If you win, you will receive your compensation within weeks.
How much compensation can I claim for a broken ankle?
The compensation you can claim for a broken ankle depends on the severity of the injury and its long-term impact. Below are examples of compensation brackets you could receive based on the current guidelines published by the Judicial College (18th Edition).
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle Injuries | A minor ankle fracture, sprain or ligament injury recovering fully or leaving only mild symptoms | Up to £18,000 |
| An ankle fracture or ligament tear causing some permanent symptoms, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground | £18,000 - £35,000 | |
| A severe ankle injury requiring extensive treatment and causing permanent walking difficulty | £41,000 - £66,000 | |
| A very severe ankle injury causing deformity and risk of future amputation | £66,000 - £92,000 |
Your solicitor will work hard to secure the maximum amount of compensation for your suffering and the ongoing impact on your life.
Can I claim broken ankle compensation on a No Win No Fee basis?
Yes. If your case has merit, it is possible to seek compensation on a no win no fee basis, which means that:
- You do not have to pay any upfront fees to your solicitor.
- They will offer you free support and advice throughout the claims process.
- Your solicitor will only be paid a success fee if they secure compensation for your broken ankle.
- If your claim is unsuccessful, you do not have to pay your solicitor under the No Win No Fee agreement.
What are the most common causes of broken ankle injury claims?
Broken ankle injuries can occur due to various reasons, including:
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents. For example, your ankle may twist or roll awkwardly due to a slip on a wet floor or a trip over trailing cables.
- Road traffic accidents. For instance, the ankle may be crushed between the pedals and the car floor, or a cyclist who gets hit by a car may fall on their ankle, resulting in a fracture.
- Accidents at work. Many workplace accidents can cause a broken ankle, including slips and trips, falls from heights and accidents involving heavy machinery and forklifts.
- Defective products. For example, a faulty ladder or a defective piece of machinery could lead to a fall or accident that results in a broken ankle.
- Sports accidents. While sports injuries are common, a claim can be made if an ankle fracture resulted from an unsafe pitch, dangerous tackle or faulty equipment.
- Physical assaults. Blows or kicks to the ankle, especially with a heavy object, can also cause the ankle bone to fracture.
What evidence do I need to make a broken ankle claim?
To claim compensation for a broken ankle, you must show who was at fault, how the accident caused your injury, and what financial losses you suffered. The strongest evidence includes:
- Photographs or videos of the scene of the accident and your injury.
- CCTV or dashcam footage of the accident, if available.
- Medical records, including your diagnosis, treatment and recovery prospects.
- A specialist medical report attesting to your long-term needs and disabilities.
- A copy of an official accident report filed with the responsible party.
- Police reports and a crime reference number in case of an assault.
- Statements from witnesses who saw what happened.
- Receipts for any losses and expenses incurred due to the broken or fractured ankle.
Frequently asked questions
- Severe pain in the ankle.
- Swelling, bruising or discolouration around the joint.
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight.
- Visible deformity.
- Limited range of motion.
- Numbness or tingling.
- Lateral malleolus fracture: A fracture of the fibula bone on the outer side of the ankle.
- Medial malleolus fracture: A fracture of the tibia bone on the inner side of the ankle.
- Bimalleolar fracture: A fracture of both the fibula and tibia bones.
- Trimalleolar fracture: A fibula, tibia, and posterior malleolus fracture.
- Maisonneuve fracture: A spiral fracture of the proximal third of the fibula, often accompanied by a medial ankle injury.
- The RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medication to manage pain.
- A cast or orthopaedic boot to keep the ankle stable and protected during the healing process.
- Surgery using metal screws, plates or pins to hold the bones together so they can heal correctly.
- Rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy to regain strength and mobility once the bone has healed.
- General damages cover non-financial losses arising from the injury, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.
- Special damages cover the financial losses you have incurred due to the broken ankle, including medical bills, loss of earnings, mobility aids, care costs and rehabilitation.
- The severity of injury: Minor fractures get lower payouts compared to more complex fractures.
- Long-term effects: Injuries that cause chronic pain, reduced mobility or arthritis result in more compensation.
- Impact on work and daily life: If you need time off work or help with daily tasks, you will receive a higher settlement to cover it.
- Cost of treatment: The severity of the fracture impacts the medical expenses, rehabilitation or specialist equipment included in your claim.
- Not conducting risk assessments.
- Failing to keep a safe workplace.
- A lack of health and safety training.
- Failing to provide adequate personal protective equipment.
- Failing to maintain equipment and machinery.
To find out if you are eligible to make a claim and how much compensation for a broken ankle you could receive, call 0800 470 0472 today or enter your details into our online claim form for a free consultation with a legal adviser.
